KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee women's golf team will head to Auburn, Ala. for the NCAA East Regional from May 9-11, the NCAA announced on Monday night.

A field of 72 teams and 18 individuals were selected for the NCAA field, which will consist of three 54-hole regional tournaments, determining which teams advance to the 72-hole NCAA Championship competition from May 21-24.

This is the 21st consecutive NCAA Tournament selection for the Lady Vols, who have competed at an NCAA Regional every year since the program started in 1992-93.

"I am proud of this team for being selected for the 21st straight time," said head coach Judi Pavon. "Heading to Auburn for the East Regional will be an easy trip for us, so we are happy about that."

"The field is tough as are all Regional fields," continued Pavon. "We will need to be ready to play our best. Some of the players have competed there before and I have coached at the course many, many times, so we will know how to get ourselves prepared in the next week."

A top-eight finish at the East Regional to be played at the Auburn University Club would propel the Lady Vols to their fifth straight NCAA Championship and their ninth appearance in 10 years.

Tennessee captured the 11th seed in the region based off a regular season that saw it collect six top-10 tournament finishes, including two top-three finishes in nine competitions.

The Orange and White has a history of success at NCAA regional competitions. Last season UT captured fourth-place honors at the Central Regional. A year earlier, then-sophomore Erica Popson claimed medalist honors, while the team recorded a second-place finish at the West Regional. The Lady Vols came in second at the 2010 East Regional, won the 2006 East Regional team title and tied for the tournament crown at the 2005 West Regional.

In addition to the top eight teams at each region advancing to the national tournament, the top two individuals not a on a qualifying team will also compete at the four-day NCAA Championship held at the University of Georgia Golf Course in Athens, Ga.